Born Under a Bad Sign, the classic Albert King tune, is taken from a different angle by Hendrix. First of all, he plays it in a different key, a little slower, and with no lyrics. Albert typically plays a crisp style of lead guitar, which Hendrix also changes up a little. He adds more vibrato, distortion, and makes the guitar whine a little more. It's a completely different vibe. Albert sings it with an air of confidence and manliness, which Jimi's version doesn't convey. Jimi's style is a little more somber. That being said, the 7 minute 38 second track has a lot of variety, which I like. It's an informal jam. It has fast paced lead, slow, whining lead, some real rhythm to it, and some rock and roll.
Something Jimi does on this track that's great: there are no lyrics, but you hear his voice a few times. He lets out a "Yeah!" and a couple of moans. This makes the song twice as good; I feel like I'm hearing it live, I get a vivid picture of him playing. Albert King does this, too, like in I'll Play the Blues For You when he says, "Scuse me..." before his solo.
Born Under a Bad Sign - Hendrix
Albert Live 1981
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